St. George's Day in United Kingdom Home Calendar Holidays United Kingdom St. George's Day St. George's Day in United Kingdom St George's Day in England remembers St George, England's patron saint. The anniversary of his death, which is on April 23, is seen as England's national day. According to legend, he was a soldier in the Roman army who killed a dragon and saved a princess. According to legend, St George slayed a dragon. Many Christians observe St George's Day in the UK, although it is not a public holiday. According to legend, St George slayed a dragon. Many Christians observe St George's Day in the UK, although it is not a public holiday. ©iStockphoto.com/bogdb Celebrate St George's Day St George's Day used to be a national holiday in England. It is now an observance that is celebrated with parades, dancing and other activities. Flags with the image of St George's cross are flown on some buildings, especially pubs, and a few people wear a red rose on their lapel. Church services on the Sunday closest to April 23 often include the hymn 'Jerusalem', written by the poet William Blake.

The words describe a supposed visit to Glastonbury, England, by Jesus Christ during his youth. Public Life April 23 is not a public holiday. Schools, stores, post offices, businesses and other organizations are open as usual. Public transport services run to their usual timetables. About St George's Day St George was born sometime around the year 280 in what is now Turkey. He was a soldier and rose up through the ranks of the Roman army, eventually becoming a personal guard to the Emperor Diocletian. He was executed for being a Christian on April 23, 303, and is buried in the town of Lod in Israel. St George is most widely known for slaying a dragon. According to legend, the only well in the town of Silene was guarded by a dragon. In order to get water, the inhabitants of the town had to offer a human sacrifice every day to the dragon. The person to be sacrificed was chosen by lots. On the day that St George was visiting, a princess had been selected to be sacrificed. However, he killed the dragon, saved the princess and gave the people of Silene access to water. In gratitude, they converted to Christianity.

It is thought that the dragon represents a certain type of pagan belief that included the sacrifice of human beings. St George's Day was once celebrated as widely as Christmas. But the celebrations waned by the end of the 18th century after England had united with Scotland on May 1, 1707. In recent times, there has been a push, involving campaigns and petitions, to make the day a public holiday in England. St George is the patron saint of a number of other places, such as Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Portugal and Russia. He is also remembered in some regional holidays, such as in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada and among the Gorani people who live in a mountainous area in the Balkans and were converted to Islam many centuries ago, but still observe St George's Day. Around the world, a number of days are devoted to St George, including April 23 and dates in November and December of the Gregorian calendar. Symbols The most widely recognized symbol of St George's Day is St George's cross. This is a red cross on a white background, which is often displayed as a flag.

It is used as England's national flag, forming part of the Union Flag, the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Saint George's cross was originally the flag of the maritime Republic of Genoa. Around 1190, the King of England started paying the Doge of Genoa to protect ships originally from the city of London and the rest of England that sailed in the Mediterranean. During the crusades in the 1100s and 1200s, English knights used St George's cross as part of their uniform. It has been the official flag of England for centuries, but the Union Flag, a combination of St George's cross, St Andrew's cross and St Patrick's cross, is the national flag of the United Kingdom. Now Saint George's cross is used as a national symbol by fans of the English national football, rugby and cricket teams. At international matches, flags and scarves bearing this cross are worn and people paint it on their faces. It is also has a prominent place on the arms of the City of London and the flags of the city of Barcelona, Spain, and the country of Georgia. St.

George's Day 2013: Sun shines as England celebrates with temperatures set to hit 20C | Daily Mail Online comments Temperatures hit 20C as the sun shone on England for St George's Day today - and tomorrow could be even hotter. It was 20.3C in St James' Park central London, and at Charlwood, Surrey, at 4pm today, the Met Office said. It could reach 21C (70F) in the south tomorrow with 22C on Thursday. The warm weather makes it as hot as the city of Tangiers in Morocco – and warmer than California, where it was expected to reach just 19C (66F).

Scroll down for video Warm weather: Two women enjoy the sunshine in Green Park, London, today as temperatures were set to hit 20C Beach day: Southampton University students Kate O'Riordan, Anouska Partner and Hannah Mortimer, all 20, in the sea at Bournemouth beach today Crosses of St George: The children wave their flags on St George's Day today in Emsworth, West Sussex Spring in full swing: Natalie Wischusen and her daughter Elsie look at some spring flowers in her Dorset garden today Relaxing: A man sits in a deckchair reading a newspaper in St James' Park, central London, today where temperatures peaked at 20.3C Three day forecast: England will have a warm day today - but tomorrow and Thursday a wet weather front will slowly spread from the west Patriotism: Schoolchildren from Thornley Island Junior School in Emsworth, West Sussex, wave English flags as soldiers from the 47 Regiment Royal Artillery march today Best of English: The crowds wave flags in Emsworth as soldiers march through the town to mark St George's Day Patriotic: Gracie Fitzgerald, 2, from Emsworth waves a St George's flag with her mother Stephanie,

 26, prior to the St George's Day celebrations in St Peter's Square in Emsworth Eating outside: Children enjoy their lunch under the watchful eye of St.

George in Swindon's Wharf Green If it does reach 22C, it will equal the warmest day of the year so far on April 14 when it reached 22C in Gravesend, Kent. But while the south basks in the best weather of the year, those in northern England and Scotland will see temperatures dipping to zero at night. RELATED ARTICLES Share this article Share And the chillier weather is expected to spread south by the weekend, bringing clouds and rain to most places. With bright and sunny weather across Britain today, it is perhaps little surprise that a majority of people in England said they want St George's Day to be made a Bank Holiday in a new poll. Flying the flag: The Cross of St George flutters over No 10 Downing Street today as the nation marks April 23 Wave: The Duchess of Cambridge meets primary school pupils in Wythenshawe, Manchester, today. Visit: The Duchess of Cambridge in the sunshine at Willows Primary School in Wythenshawe today, with a visible baby bump Beautiful day: People punting on the River Cam in Cambridge today as temperatures continued to rise Sunbathing: People enjoy the spring sunshine in St.

James's Park in central London as the country warmed up Picturesque: People enjoy the spring sunshine in St. James's Park in Central London as temperatures soared More than seven out of 10, or 73 per cent, backed making April 23 a public holiday in an online study of 3,600 English adults for the IPPR think tank and Cardiff and Edinburgh universities. In Evesham, Worcestershire, the first cut of the season's asparagus was delivered to shops in an eccentric ceremony. The Great English Asparagus Run witnessed a 'round of Gras' tied in willow twine being sent off to the dinner table. The quirky ceremony, in which a local vicar blessed the humble vegetable, is always held on St George's Day. Patriotism: Crowds celebrate St George's Day in Nottingham's Old Square market today Busy on the beach: Sunseekers headed to Brighton beach today as the temperature hit 20C in the south Yesterday: Although it is a weekday, the beach at Brighton was busy.

However, the weather will take a turn for the worse by the weekend Celebrations: Boris Johnson has a microphone fitted round his neck as he speaks to primary school pupils in south London today about St George's Day London Mayor Mr Johnson points at pupils as he talks to them about St George's Day this morning St George's celebrations: Morris dancers perform to a crowd of people in Leadenhall market today to mark April 23 A group of Morris Dancers perform as part of St George's Day celebrations in Leadenhall Market English colour: Decked out in the red and white of the English flag, these Morris dancer's perform today Soaking up the sun: City workers enjoy the sunshine in London today against the city backdrop as temperatures hit 20C Enjoying the weather: Construction workers take a break in front of the Tower of London today Celebrations: A 20ft high model of St George parades though Swindon Town centre for St George's Day April 23: St George's day celebrations in Nottingham's Old Market Square Beach workout: A couple jog along the promenade by the beach huts in Hove, Sussex Day out: A pensioner enjoys the weather by the beach in Hove today The round was driven away in a

 top-down Morgan classic car and across the country to the luxury London department store Fortnum & Mason Piccadilly, where it will feature on a seasonal menu.

TRIBUTE TO OUR PATRON SAINT St George is famed for slaying a dragon in popular imaginations but most people know very little about his past and his somewhat obscure links to England. George is believed to have been born in Turkey in around 275AD and was a soldier. He went to Silene, in Libya, which was being plagued by a sea dragon. The people of the city were being forced to hand over their children to the creature. George slayed the dragon after the king sacrificed his own daughter. But the soldier only carried out the mighty task after everyone was baptised. There followed an uprising against Christianity, and George left the army and protested against it. He was later arrested and beheaded. St George's Day is marked on April 23 because it is believed to be the day he died in AD303. It was only in medieval times that he came to be associated with England. The story emerged that he had travelled here during his time in the army. Later still, there were claims he had slayed another dragon here. While all the tales are of dubious truthfulness, one thing is for certain - he was definitely not English.

Indeed, he is also the patron saint of Catalonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Portugal, Germany and Greece. Angela Tidmarsh, organiser, said: 'We're here to celebrate everything good and great about Britain.' Google today created a special Doodle on their homepage to mark St George's Day. It shows England's patron saint destroying a green dragon as he shields a princess from its clutches. David Cameron hailed the growing popularity of St George's Day celebrations. The Prime Minister said: 'I send my best wishes to everyone celebrating St George's Day today. I think it's great that in recent years it has become more and more popular to mark St George's Day. 'I'm very proud to be English and I think it is important that people in England can celebrate St George's Day, just as other nations of the United Kingdom celebrate their patron saint's days.' Met Office forecaster Helen Chivers said that although there is going to be some fine weather today, the best of it will be in the south. 'There is going to be a bit of a north-south split over the next couple of days,' she said.

'It will be a pleasant day today and we should see temperatures in most places of between 15 and 17C. In the south-east it could be up to 20C. 'Overnight tonight we see the cold thickening across the north and parts of the UK will be feeling a lot colder. 'There will be some rain from Wales northwards. It won't be terribly heavy and will mainly be on the west side of the country. 'Tomorrow it will be between 19 and 21C in the south-east - in London and up into, Suffolk and in Kent. There will be a lot of clear unbroken sunshine and it will feel really pleasant.

'In the west and the north it will be not as warm and up in Scotland it will be 11 to 13C which is normal for the time of year.' Warm:A sun-seeker makes the most of her lunch break on Bournemouth beach while Inaya Dehal, aged one, from Swindon, makes the most of her day trip Sun seekers: With temperatures set to hit 20C today, it looks like a summer's day on Bournemouth beach Warm weather at last: A couple soak up the sun outside their beach hut at Bournemouth today Spring day out: Sylvie Bramley, three, plays on Bournemouth beach today Beautiful day: A young girl smells the daffodils in Sawnley Park, Kent, today as temperatures hit 20C Delight: Miqualer Causon, aged 21 months, enjoys the weather in Stanley Park, Blackpool, today Hot day: Student Viktoria Ruskyte sits among the cherry blossom enjoying the warm weather by the River Cam in Cambridge today Sun: A woman paints a picture in the St James's Park today as temperatures are set to hit 20C in the south of England Warm: Revellers sit on the steps outside the National

 Gallery in Trafalgar Square, central London today She added that temperatures could nudge 22C in London and the south-east on Thursday - which would put it level with the warmest day of the year to date.

In Bournemouth, Dorset, many of the 3,500 deckchairs on the seafront had been taken up as people flocked to the coast. Families, students and officers workers on their lunch breaks were all soaking up the sunshine. Debbie Brown, 35, from Poole, was walking along the promenade with her children Max, four, and Charlie, two. She said: 'Finally we have a spring! We've had such miserable weather for what feels like forever so when I heard the forecast this morning I almost couldn't believe it. 'I thought it best to make the most of it as it will probably turn cold again knowing this country.

'The kids have enjoyed a nice time building sandcastles, it's such a far cry from a few weeks ago when we were stuck inside with all the rain.' Hot: Jessica Dutton, aged five, and her grandfather Neville, play in a fountain in Nottingham today Spring day: A family enjoy the sunny weather in Greenwich Park today Spring weather: A woman enjoys the sunshine among the daffodils in St James's Park today as temperatures are set to hit 20C Lunchtime revellers: The warm weather drew a huge lunchtime crowd to Green Park today And in Scotland, where it has been far colder in recent weeks, two German teenagers have finally escaped Scotland's icy grip after their camper van became stuck in a Highland snow drift for a month. Oli Suft, and Julia Kumschier, both 19, left were stranded up a remote glen near Bridge of Balgie in Glenlyon by freak weather more than four weeks ago The couple, from Bavaria, had travelled to Scotland after falling for the scenery in the recent James Bond film, Skyfall.

They set off in their Volkswagen camper van but their holiday turned into a nightmare when they got stuck in a snowstorm as they crossed a nine-mile stretch of untreated hill-pass near Ben Lawers by Loch Tay on 18 March - blithely ignoring warning signs that the road was 'unsuitable during winter months'. They had to abandon their van and walk six miles in the snow before finding the nearest village. The camper remained stuck in the snow until Perth and Kinross Council sent a JCB to clear a passageway through the snow last Tuesday. A digger cut a metre-high channel and dragged their van out. Amazingly it started first time despite being exposed to the elements for a month. The couple set off on Monday morning for the docks at Newcastle. Pleasant weather: People gather in St James's Park today as London heats up for St George's Day Spring run: Two joggers in St James's Park today Meanwhile, hay fever sufferers received some good news today as experts predicted a shorter hay fever season this summer. Cold weather over recent months is thought to have delayed the release of silver birch and grass pollen.

Beverley Adams-Groom, pollen forecaster at the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, said: 'The most important tree pollen type is silver birch which triggers hay fever in approximately 25 per cent of sufferers. 'The cold weather of the last few months will delay the release of birch pollen which, in an average year, starts to be emitted from around the beginning of April in the south of the country. This year it could be at least two weeks later.' Ms Adams-Groom added: 'Grass pollen affects around 95% of hay fever sufferers in the UK. There are a number of grass species that flower ahead of the main pollen season, often in April, such as sweet vernal grass and foxtail. 'The cold weather will delay the flowering of these types which is good news for those people who are affected by these species.

However, it's too early to predict what will happen during the main grass pollen season.' St George's celebrations: Soldiers from 12 and 47 Regiment of the Royal Artillery, march through St Peter's Square in Emsworth today An elderly woman in a wheelchair waves a Cross of St George flag today in Emsworth as the soldiers march through the town Celebrations: Patriotic dog Eddie joins in left, while war veteran Hugh Pollock also celebrates April 23 with four-year-old Austin Turvey Parade: The soldiers from 47 Regiment Royal Artillery, based at Thorney Island, march through Emsworth, West Sussex today Patriotic brothers Roger and Paul Boughen celebrate St George's Day in Emsworth today Google Doodle: St George slays a dragon while protecting a princess in this Doodle which appeared on the Google homepage today St. George's Day in Canada Home Calendar Holidays Canada St. George's Day St. George's Day in Canada St George’s Day commemorates the life of St George, a Roman soldier and Christian martyr. St George’s Day is a provincial holiday in Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. It is observed on the Monday closest to April 23 each year.

St George (image pictured above) is remembered on St George's Day in Canada. St George (image pictured above) is remembered on St George's Day in Canada. ©iStockphoto.com/bogdb What Do People Do? Many people are reminded on this day of St George’s achievements and sacrifices during his lifetime. People who have a day off work on St George’s Day enjoy it as is part of a three-day long weekend in Newfoundland and Labrador, as the day is held on a Monday. Some people take a scenic drive, while others engage in sporting activities. Many people in the province who have a day off spend time on personal hobbies and some people catch up with friends and family. St George’s Day celebrations are not limited to Newfoundland and Labrador. Some societies, such as the Royal Society of St. George (British Columbia Branch), celebrate St George’s Day. There are also calls from groups devoted to the saint to make St George’s Day a national holiday in Canada. Public Life St George’s Day is a provincial holiday in Newfoundland and Labrador, so it is designated as a paid holiday for government employees.

School calendars in the province are set by individual school districts so those wishing to find out if St George’s Day is a school holiday should check with these districts. Background St George was born sometime around the year 280 CE in what is now Turkey. He was a soldier and rose up through the ranks of the Roman army, eventually becoming a personal guard to the Emperor Diocletian. He was executed for being a Christian on April 23, 303 CE, and is buried in the town of Lod in Israel. St George is most widely known for slaying a dragon. According to legend, the only well in the town of Silene was guarded by a dragon. In order to get water, the inhabitants of the town had to offer a human sacrifice every day to the dragon. The person to be sacrificed was chosen by lots. On the day that St George was visiting, a princess had been selected to be sacrificed. However, he killed the dragon, saved the princess and gave the people of Silene access to water. In gratitude, they converted to Christianity. It is thought that the dragon represents a certain type of pagan belief that included the sacrifice of human beings.

St George is the patron saint of some places around the world, including England , Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, and Russia. Symbols The most widely recognized St George's Day symbol is St George's cross. This is a red cross on a white background, which is often displayed as a flag. It is used as England's national flag, forming part of the Union Flag, the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Saint George's cross was originally the flag of the maritime Republic of Genoa. Around 1190, the King of England started paying the Doge of Genoa to protect ships originally from the city of London and the rest of England that sailed in the Mediterranean region. St. George's Day Observances St George's Day (2012) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error Follows two infamous London gangsters, Mickey Mannock and Ray Collishaw.

Both men are top of the food chain when their world is turned upside down as they lose a shipment of the Russian Mafia's cocaine. Director: a list of 21 titles created 22 Jan 2013 a list of 43 titles created 02 Feb 2013 a list of 28 titles created 14 Aug 2013 a list of 42 titles created 14 Sep 2013 a list of 25 titles created 01 Mar 2015 Title: St George's Day (2012) 5.1/10 Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Add Image Add an image Do you have any images for this title? Brothers Lucky and Raphael have always lived on the wrong side of the law. When a "job" goes very wrong and Lucky finds himself in debt to local heavies, Sebastian and Kramer, he is forced ...

See full summary » Director: Sacha Bennett In 1995, drug suppliers and career criminals Tony Tucker, Patrick Tate and Craig Rolfe were blasted to death by a shot gun whilst waiting in a Range Rover in Rettendon, Essex. The film ... See full summary » Director: Sacha Bennett London bad boy Billy Evans gets in over his head when he joins a dangerous criminal gang. Director: Martin Kemp A young man recently released from prison recruits his three best friends to rob the local drug kingpin who is responsible for his incarceration. Can he get revenge and win back his fed-up girlfriend? Director: Rowan Athale The life of career criminal Carlton Leach. Director: Julian Gilbey The life of underworld icon Carlton Leach. Director: Ricci Harnett An insight on the gritty life of a bored male, Chelsea football hooligan who lives for violence, sex, drugs & alcohol. Director: Nick Love When unemployed soccer hooligan Mike Jacobs encounters an old friend during a bloody pregame brawl, he finds the answer to his problems - credit card fraud. But before long, the fast paced ... See full summary » Director: Paul Tanter The true-life story of Paul Ferris.

Director: Ray Burdis The film is based loosely around events in December 1995 that culminated in the murders of three drug dealers in Rettendon, Essex, UK. On 6th December Patrick Tate, Craig Rolfe and Tony ... See full summary » Director: Terry Winsor Twenty years after Britain's most notorious gangland murders, the next generation of Essex Boys vie for control as revenge is sought by all sides. Director: Paul Tanter A group of people who feel betrayed by their government and let down by their police force form a modern-day outlaw posse in order to right what they see as the wrongs of society. Director: Nick Love Edit Storyline Infamous London gangster cousins, Micky Mannock and Ray Collishaw, are at the top of the food chain, when their world is turned upside down as they lose a shipment of the Russian Mafia's cocaine in rough seas. Set in London, Amsterdam and Berlin, the story races across Europe at breakneck speed as Micky and Ray attempt to stay one step ahead of the Police. Can they pull off a daring diamond heist in time to put things right and retire to a "legitimate" way of life.

Written by Frank Harper A firm, a match, a heist. Blood will be spilt. See more » Genres: 7 September 2012 (UK) See more » Also Known As: Did You Know? Trivia The commemorative date of St George's Day in England each year is 23rd April. See more » Goofs In the immediate scenes leading up to the diamond heist Mickey's are sporting roses in their lapels and shirts. As the two gangs start to fight underground it's clear they no longer are wearing their roses. See more » Quotes Nixon : Well, well, well, if it's not Donnie Brasco. William Bishop : That's not even fuckin' funny. Trite Generic "Geezer" Crime Caper Movie for Eastenders Fans 13 September 2012 | by ronniecrayfish (United Kingdom) – See all my reviews Hey people "Spoiler alert", this movie SUCKS big time. If I could give a film 0 stars believe me I would, I am so annoyed at wasting my time and money seeing this movie I've felt obliged to put pen to paper.

This film blatantly copies all the standard Brit Gangster tropes that we've seen before in films such as "Layer cake", "Gangster No 1" etc. but does them all REALLY REALLY BADLY. The story revolves around the protagonists losing a consignment of cocaine belonging to the Russian mafia, Wow what an original concept! The acting is abysmal and wooden to say the least, the dialogue is of the "Not on my Manor you Muppet" quality. The "jokes" are completely unfunny (I cracked a smile maybe twice). The producers have obviously gotten Charles Dance in as a known "Star" thereby trying to give the movie some credibility, (I like Charles Dance, but be honest when was the last movie of any note you saw him in?) Well Charlie obviously had a big Gas/Electric/Tax bill to pay when this job came into his in-box and he looks decidedly uncomfortable and dyspeptic throughout and is obviously just going through the motions. The rest of the cast are actors that you've probably seen in "Eastenders" or "The Bill" or in some other awful Brit flick standing next to Danny Dyer, trying to look hard and act less wooden than him.

I notice a previous reviewer comparing this to "The Long Good Friday", well watching St Georges Day seemed as though I'd sat through a very "Long Long Friday" but there the similarity ends. Do yourselves a favour, get a copy of the aforementioned and brilliant "Long Good Friday" with Bob Hoskins acting his socks off in his best ever role, and give this rubbish a miss. There are some good Brit Gangster movies out there.....This isn't one of them by a Long Long way. 31 of 50 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes St George's Day: Why Is England's National Day Not Celebrated? | The Huffington Post St George's Day: Why Is England's National Day Not Celebrated? 23/04/2013 08:05 | Updated 23 April 2013 1.2k Paul Vale Front Page Editor, The Huffington Post Alamy/Getty/PA/Rex How would you react if you saw a St George's Cross erected outside a house on your street? Would you be overcome with pride, apathy, or would you perhaps feel a little bit anxious?

Tuesday is St George’s Day, an annual “celebration” in the national consciousness that is uniquely ignored, despite incessant and often fruitless attempts by organisations, brands and politicians to whip up a collective English spirit. Last weekend, London mayor Boris Johnson hosted an event in Trafalgar Square to commemorate England's patron saint, telling the crowd it was a "fantastic opportunity to celebrate the very best of what England has to offer, from music to theatre to film". A St George's Day event it may have been, but the pageant was more a publicity exercise for the city of London (and its mayor), leaving celebrations on the actual day muted or absent. Johnson: 'Celebrate the very best of what England has to offer' But why has England's saint been so ignored? Reasons abound, from the island’s religious history to the more recent appropriation of national iconography by members of the far right. Certainly, for many the English flag represents a facet of the national character that is best hidden away. It's a chauvinism and a narrowness that, outside major sporting events, has come to be identified with the English Defence League (EDL), the British National Party (BNP) and mobs of travelling football fans.

As an inter-faith group bemoaned on Monday , the saint has been "hijacked" by the extreme right as a "symbol of triumphalism and division". England is, after all, a country in which national outpouring is rare. Every two years, the population watches the country’s best 23 football players get on a plane, returning shortly after the quarterfinals of either the World Cup or the European Championships. For the brief interlude in between, flags are hung from windows, colours are worn and England becomes united in an acceptable display of national pride. Then the shirts, the silly hats and the flags are promptly put away… apart from the few left draped over balconies of inner city estates. Similar displays were seen for the golden Jubilee, though this was a more British celebration represented by the Union flag. Likewise the London Olympics. The St George's flag on display during an England game at Wembley But why are displays of English national identity limited to only a handful of prescribed sporting events? One reason could sit within the decline of faith. The St George’s Cross is, after all, a religious symbol and a Christian symbol.

As Greg Jenner has argued blogging for the HuffPost UK: “ If I am going to have to live in a modern England, I believe it should not be reflexively branded with medieval, Christian iconography ”. Historian Diarmaid Macculloch goes even further, arguing that the apathy towards St George’s Day is less to do with secularisation or modern politics and more a consequence of the reformation. He told the Huff Post UK: "The English, being Protestants for nearly five centuries, have never had much time for saints' days - same with the Scots," adding: "Neither really need their patron saints to celebrate nationhood." The Welsh, he suggested, despite being Protestants, retain St David's day to "keep their end up against the English". Is St Patrick's Day an expression of the historically oppressed? Nationalism too is often borne out of oppression. Scotland, Wales and Ireland have historically been the oppressed members of the Union, giving them a cohesion or national unity against the English. It’s a notion that Robert Ford , a lecturer in politics at the University of Manchester and a specialist in far-right politics supports. “Very often, national identities are expressed in opposition to something," he told the HuffPost UK.

"So St Andrew's and St Patrick's Day celebrations reflect the assertion of an identity distinct from the dominant English identity. It is not clear whom the English define themselves against, or in comparison to. Once upon a time it would have been Catholic Europe, while more recently on parts of the right it has been against immigrants with a different culture.” According to Ford , smaller, non-dominant nations who may be threatened by neighbours have strong reasons to promote and protect their own sense of identity. What’s more, England has no “great political event to focus identity debate and provide the symbolic furniture - as the Revolution did in France, Garibaldi in Italy, or unification in Germany.” As such, when identity promotion has occurred, for example over immigration, Ford argues the debate often turns “negative, defensive and exclusionary rather than positive and celebratory”. Members of the EDL at a recent protest carrying the flag of St George In contrast, the US, despite being the dominant actor in the region, has created a strong national identity - a form of “civil religion”, as sociologist Robert Bellah outlined - focused on the flag, the national anthem, the military and days of national celebration, such as the Super bowl and the presidential inauguration.

Every morning, school children across the States are made to recite the pledge of allegiance. In England, there’s no anthem, no pledge and little reference in school to what it means to be English. Still, this unpatriotic nation may be on the turn. A poll for the IPPR think tank out on Tuesday revealed that more than seven out of 10 backed making St George's Day a public holiday. Of course it did, the public want another day off. Despite the failure of a recent attempt by MPs to have St George's Day and St David's Day declared a bank holiday (the bill was withdrawn despite support from across Tory and Labour ranks), the director of IPPR responsible for the research believes the poll shows "an emergence of an English identity that British political parties ignore at their peril." David Cameron duly obliged on Tuesday morning sending his best wishes "to everyone celebrating St George's Day", adding: "I think it is important that people in England can celebrate St George's Day, just as other nations of the United Kingdom celebrate their patron saint's days." For Andrew Rosindell, a Tory MP who has campaigned for more than a decade to have St George’s Day celebrated as a National Holiday, attitudes are changing.

He told HuffPost UK: "St. Patrick’s Day, St. Andrew’s Day and St. David’s Day are celebrated so widely now that people in England also want to share in celebrating their unique English traditions and heritage. Of course, it is also proud to celebrate the unifying values that make us British and I am proud of being both British and English, which is a view that I am sure many others up and down the country share.” That may be so, but English identity remains a difficult question. Richard Wyn Jones, professor of politics at Cardiff University and co-author of the IPPR report, strikes a more nuanced tone: "A cocktail of deepening cultural anxiety, rising economic insecurity and a growing disillusion with the political system has made the English Question something far more complex than simply a response to Scottish devolution and European integration." St George's Day St George's Day 2015: who is actually celebrating? - Telegraph UK News St George's Day 2015: who is actually celebrating? Does anyone mark St George's Day in England? It's just not, well, very English is it to shout about our patron saint? Even Buckingham Palace is flying the Union flag today, not the St George's one.

Morris dancers celebrate St George's Day at Leadenhall Market Photo: Alamy But there are a number of towns, households, businesses and -- of course -- politicians celebrating St George's Day . We take a look at some people proud to wave the flag on April 23. Google Well, perhaps this is not a surprise. Google doodles are used to mark some pretty obscure anniversaries, including the 119th anniversary of the creation of the first Ice Cream Sundae. English Heritage A larger than life statue of a knight on horseback was unveiled this week at Wellington Arch -- the memorial that sits in the middle of Hyde Park Corner, London. It is part of a summer of celebrations, including jousting tournaments, being hosted by English Heritage, which is using the hashtag #knightfever . This weekend the statue is being moved to Wrest Park in Bedfordshire. A spokesman for English Heritage said: "We are keen to emphasise that it is a time to celebrate English history, rather than be nervous about any negative connotations of the St George flag!" Politicians There is an election coming up, afterall. And there is rarely anything to be lost in shouting about the pride you have in your country.

— Simon Danczuk (@SimonDanczuk) April 23, 2015 David Cameron has recorded a video that ticks various St George's Day bingo boxes: the Industrial Revolution, Shakespeare, Magna Carta. Last year he managed to squeeze in Newcastle Brown Ale, Arsenal, Cornish pasites and Downton Abbey. Not to be outdone... Happy St George's Day to everyone across England and further afield. We can be proud of our country, of our ingenuity, our industry. — Ed Miliband (@Ed_Miliband) April 23, 2015 Ukip The Ukip party are taking St George's Day particularly seriously. Happy St. George's Day to all! pic.twitter.com/lU8sytSSIu — Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) April 23, 2015 At their morning press conference there was quite a party atmosphere. UKIP are holding a press conference about St George's Day.

To celebrate, they've kindly given me a special gift pic.twitter.com/DWuGnQPKtw — Michael Deacon (@MichaelPDeacon) April 23, 2015 At the press conference , Patrick O'Flynn, Ukip's economic spokesman, was asked if the Turkish St George would have been allowed into Britain as a “skilled migrant”. Mr O’Flynn said: “Well, I guess dragon-slaying is a skill. Greetings card companies No day, however obscure, however niche, can be ignored by greeting card manufacturers and retailers. A bereavement card for your dead goldfish? We've got that covered. So it shouldn't come as a shock that Clinton Cards has 6 designs available in selected stores. Last year the retailer sold 2,500 St George’s Day cards. D-List celebrities Helen Wood, one-time Big Brother winner who slept with Wayne Rooney, is one of the many people taking to social media on St George's Day to express a political view. Hope next #StGeorgesDay England announce they're bringing back the death penalty.

Hang scum instead of giving them a ps4 & comfy bed in jail — Helen Wood (@Helen_Wood86) April 23, 2015 Asparagus growers St George's Day marks the start of the British asparagus season. There is an asparagus festival running for the next month around the country. Supermarkets We are a nation of shopkeepers afterall. And there is nothing a supermarket loves more than a special day -- any day -- to encourage us to fill our baskets. Hallowe'en, Easter, Mother's Day, St George's Day; these all are opportunities to sell us more stuff. Our stores are getting into the spirit of St George's Day! What will you be doing?

pic.twitter.com/VEGvpGy9mi — Tesco News (@TescoMedia) April 23, 2015 This is Tesco, Gerrard's Cross Celebrating St George's day with some traditional English favourites..Lemonade, Ginger Beer&Roast Beef to name a few pic.twitter.com/X9aqN4DkKQ — James Lingard (@jlingard1989) April 23, 2015 Though some shoppers have complained that Asda is not making enough of an effort. @asda not a single item for sale relating to St George's day in England! Always have the St paddy's day hats and beer deals! — Hutch (@CSHutch85) April 23, 2015 Nottingham There are plenty of villages, towns and cities flying the St George's flag. But Nottingham appears to be taking it to another level. At lunchtime a grand parade, organised by The Royal Society of St. George, will process from the Forest Recreation Ground to the Old Market Square. There is a food market and a music festival. And an absolutely enormous flag.

Largest England flag erected in preparation for St George's Day pic.twitter.com/JDMrH52C9U — David Jones (@DavidJo52951945) April 21, 2015 For a patriotic country- St.George's day really does fall short. Be English- Be proud ?? Nottingham is! pic.twitter.com/eQTFdXcquh

Question: In which month is St George's Day?
Answer: April